Reacting to the deaths of 44 people ages 10-to-17 last year, and jaw-dropping figures that show Utah has a 141% higher youth suicide rate than the national average, Gov. Herbert said action must be taken and quickly. He convened a task force of 14 members led by his Lt. Governor, Spencer Cox, and Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, who has championed suicide prevention in the Utah State Legislature.

"We have lost far too many lives leading up to this present day," Rep. Eliason said.

For Lt. Governor Cox, the issue was also personal. He said people need to break the stigma of silence around suicide, and shared his own childhood story of suicidal thoughts.

"I went through some dark times, some times that were very difficult," he said, fighting back tears. "I was bullied as well. Those things impact us. I started to have those dark thoughts about the world might be a better place if I was not in it. Fortunately, I did not follow through on those thoughts. I assumed I was alone in that, that there was something wrong with me for having those thoughts."

The task force includes political and community leaders, suicide prevention groups, medical professionals and even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the gay rights group Equality Utah.

"LGBT youth are four times more likely to experience suicide ideation than their straight counterparts. Eight times more likely to experience suicide ideation, if they’re kicked out of their homes," said Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams. "I think it’s really powerful the state is coming together, to address this issue."

"One of the most important things you can do today to dramatically reduce the risk of your child dying by suicide is to lock and restrict your firearms in your home from unauthorized use," he said.

Beyond talking about the problem, Gov. Herbert was adamant that he wanted action. He announced the task force must submit a plan to him and the Utah State Legislature by Feb. 15. The deadline, mid-session, would ensure they could run bills if need be and secure funding for suicide prevention plans.